Biohydrolysis of substituted styrene oxides by Beauveria densa CMC 3240

Resting whole cell suspensions of the fungus Beauveria densa CMC 3240 containing an epoxide hydrolase have been used to resolve a series of para-substituted styrene oxides, with stereoinversion of the hydrolysed epoxide enantiomer. The regio- and hence, enantioselectivity of hydrolysis is compromised where ortho- and para-methyl- and chlorostyrene oxides are substrates. Negligible activity was observed with pura-nitrostyrene oxide as substrate. The results appear to confirm a general mechanism of enzyme-catalysed acid hydrolysis for Beauvelia spp. acting on styrene oxides.